#BOXOFFICE: “THE CROODS” DRIVES FAMILIES TO THE MOVIES THIS WEEKEND

Debuting atop the Box Office this weekend is The Croods from Dreamworks/20th Century Fox, earning $44 million from 4,046 theatres in North America. Earning positive reviews from Critics, tallying 64% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes and even strong reviews from audiences with an A CinemaScore, the Animated Feature starring Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage and Emma Stone was made for $135 million,  still yet to be released overseas.

In second and certainly not disgraced is Antoine Fuqua‘s Olympus Has Fallen opening with $30.8 million for FilmDistrict/VVS Films, from 3,098 theatres.  Overall, reviews have been mixed with it earning 55% over at Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences responded v. well, giving an A- CinemaScore. After multiple Box Office Misfires of late, Gerard Butler re-asserts his standing as a bankable Leading Man. The Film however was made for $70 million, which by Indie standards is astronomically high, but with positive buzz, this should translate into a bit of staying power in coming weeks and possibly its second run on Home Video.

Oz The Great and Powerful continues to be a major force, slipping to third but still garnering $20.8 million in its third week and should shortly surpass the $200 million mark domestically.

Meanwhile The Call, last weekend’s Runner-Up, earns $9.1 million in its second week of release, just ahead of Tina Fey and Paul Rudd-headlining Rom-Com Admission in fifth with $6.6 million for Focus Features/eOne Films.

Amazingly, Spring Breakers in Limited Release finds itself in sixth with $5 million from only 1,104 theatres and next weekend will see a release in select Canadian cities including Toronto.  Reviews are solid for the Harmony Korine Flick starring James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson.

Former Champion Identity Thief still is hanging tough for Universal Pictures with $2.6 million from 2,166 theatres, while Snitch rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.9 million.  Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who stars in the latter, also will be making his presence felt with G.I. Joe: Retaliation, out next week.